IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you should have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Pleasanton CA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many Pleasanton CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Pleasanton CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Pleasanton CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Pleasanton CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Pleasanton CA programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Pleasanton CA home, you have to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Pleasanton CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your busy life.